Winnipeg Jets: Where They Rank in Goaltending

As the NHL season fast approaches the question may be raised of exactly who the best goaltender in the Central Division is. As you think of the answer to this question some quick names may come to mind; however, the key question lies in where exactly the Winnipeg Jets rank amongst these goaltending powerhouses. Does Ondrej Pavelec break the top five or perhaps someone else?

Number Five: Michael Hutchinson

Here at number five on our countdown we have Jets goaltender Michael Hutchinson. Michael Hutchinson is a 6′ 3” 202 pound goaltender at 25 years of age. This past season he played in what was really his first season as an NHL goalie. He posted a 21-10-5 record with a 2.39 GAA and a .914 save percentage.

Hutchinson only played in thirty-eight games this season taking the back seat to starter Ondrej Pavelec. But after the ghastly performance put on by Pavelec in the postseason and his solid numbers one might assume that Hutchinson will take on a bigger role next season. Hutchinson has all the characteristics of an NHL starter and has the potential to do big things for the Jets and with Pavelec’s track record proving not very impressive we might see Hutchinson taking up the starting role this season.

Click here for an article from last month on the goaltending battle in Winnipeg.

Number Four: Brian Elliott

Here at number four on our countdown we have St. Louis Blues goaltender Brian Elliott. Brian Elliott is a 6′ 2” 209 pound goaltender at the age of 30. This past season he posted a 26-14-3 record with a GAA of 2.26 and a save percentage of .917.

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In previous years we would most likely have seen the former Vezina nominee higher on this list; however, this past season has shown that perhaps his best days are behind him in St. Louis. With goaltending counterpart Jake Allen sharing pretty evenly in the workload and putting up some nice stats in the postseason there is no doubt a goaltending battle in emerging in St. Louis. There is not telling whether Elliott will keep his job or hold strong with his counterpart (like with Halak), but it does not take an expert to see that his time in St. Louis could be ending sooner rather then later.

Number Three: Corey Crawford (Stanley Cup Winning Goaltender)

Here at number three on our countdown we have Chicago Blackhawks goaltender Corey Crawford. Crawford is a 6′ 2” 216 pound goaltender at the age of 30. This past season he posted a 32-20-5 record with a GAA of 2.27 and a save percentage of .924.

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During the past couple of seasons it would appear that Crawford has in fact earned a place on this list. Crawford has won two Stanley Cups with the Chicago Blackhawks and just last season went 13-6-1 with a 2.31 GAA .924 save percentage during the Hawk’s cup run. What makes Crawford such a star goaltender in the Central Division is his ability to play in key situations and come through for his club, it is good to have a goaltender who you can truly rely on during a Cup run.

Number Two: Devan Dubnyk (Vezina Nominee)

Here at number two on our countdown we have Minnesota Wild goaltender Devan Dubnyk. Dubnyk is a 6′ 6” 210 pound goaltender at the age of 29. This past season he posted a 36-14-4 record with a GAA of 2.07 and save percentage of .929.

A year ago Dubnyk would have not even been on the top five on this list, but today not only is he on this list but he is a Vezina nominated goaltender. Dubnyk is a towering goaltender who has always held a great amount of potential (former first round pick) and it wasn’t until this past season that this potential was truly unleashed. After his stellar season Dubnyk signed a 6-year deal this offseason to return to the Wild.

Number One: Pekka Rinne (Vezina Nominee)

Here at number one (not surprisingly) we have Nashville Predators goaltender Pekka Rinne. Rinne is a 6′ 5” 204 pound goaltender at the age of 32. This past season he posted a 41-17-6 record with a GAA of 2.18 and save percentage of .923.

It can be said that Rinne has been the best goaltender in this division for years consistently posting Vezina numbers and collecting the top saves of the week. Rinne is without a doubt an all-star goaltender who could even be called the best goaltender in the NHL as with age it appears he has only got stronger. The only criticism that can really be made about Rinne is his playoff performances for in his time in Nashville the team has never even made it to the Western Conference Finals (Evgeni Nabakov is a good comparison when talking about Pekka Rinne).

What do you guys think? Is our list accurate? Should Ondrej Pavelec have made the cut? Should any Jet have made the cut? Comment below and join in on the discussion!

Next: Winnipeg Jets Possible Goaltending Dilemma

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